Description
Item Description
Bryant Ridge Co. is pleased to present this historic bolt-action rifle today for a penny-start auction, this is the ŒWG Steyr Gewehr 88!
Please note: the bolt on this particular example appears to be missing an ejector and an extractor.
SPECIFICATIONS:
Manufacturer: ŒWG Steyr
Model: Gewehr 88
Serial: 5958B
Date of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (aka 8mm Mauser)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 29 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the chamber is stamped with the letter “S”, along with “ŒWG STEYR”, and the date of manufacture “1889”. The left side of the receiver wall is stamped “G.Mod.88.”. The left side of the chamber is stamped with the serial number “5958b”. The left side of the barrel is also stamped with the serial number “5958b”. The right side of the receiver is stamped with a German proof mark.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Gewehr 88, officially known as the Model 1888 Commission Rifle, was Germany’s rapid answer to the revolutionary introduction of smokeless powder by France’s Lebel Model 1886. With black powder rifles instantly rendered obsolete, the German Army formed the Gewehr-Prüfungskommission (Rifle Testing Commission) to design a modern rifle on an accelerated timeline. The result was the Gewehr 88, chambered for the new 7.92x57mm Patrone 88 (M/88) cartridge—a rimless, smokeless round firing a .318-inch diameter bullet. Diverging from Mauser’s earlier designs, the rifle featured a Mannlicher-style, five-round en-bloc clip system and a distinctive full-length barrel shroud. It was issued in multiple variants tailored to different military branches, including the Karabiner 88 for cavalry and the Gewehr 91 for artillery, the latter equipped with a stacking rod. As ballistic technology progressed, Germany adopted the more powerful 7.92x57mm “S” Patrone in 1903, leading to a major upgrade of existing rifles by 1905.
Model: Gewehr 88
Serial: 5958B
Date of Manufacture: 1889
Caliber: 7.92x57mm (aka 8mm Mauser)
Finish: Blue
Barrel Length: 29 1/4"
Optics/Sights: Blade Front with Flip-Up Adjustable Ladder Rear
Stock/Grips: Smooth Walnut
Action: Bolt-Action
Markings: Standard / The top of the chamber is stamped with the letter “S”, along with “ŒWG STEYR”, and the date of manufacture “1889”. The left side of the receiver wall is stamped “G.Mod.88.”. The left side of the chamber is stamped with the serial number “5958b”. The left side of the barrel is also stamped with the serial number “5958b”. The right side of the receiver is stamped with a German proof mark.
Bryant Ridge's Analysis:
The Gewehr 88, officially known as the Model 1888 Commission Rifle, was Germany’s rapid answer to the revolutionary introduction of smokeless powder by France’s Lebel Model 1886. With black powder rifles instantly rendered obsolete, the German Army formed the Gewehr-Prüfungskommission (Rifle Testing Commission) to design a modern rifle on an accelerated timeline. The result was the Gewehr 88, chambered for the new 7.92x57mm Patrone 88 (M/88) cartridge—a rimless, smokeless round firing a .318-inch diameter bullet. Diverging from Mauser’s earlier designs, the rifle featured a Mannlicher-style, five-round en-bloc clip system and a distinctive full-length barrel shroud. It was issued in multiple variants tailored to different military branches, including the Karabiner 88 for cavalry and the Gewehr 91 for artillery, the latter equipped with a stacking rod. As ballistic technology progressed, Germany adopted the more powerful 7.92x57mm “S” Patrone in 1903, leading to a major upgrade of existing rifles by 1905.
Approximately 350,000 rifles were converted to the Gewehr 88/05 configuration, which included re-chambering for the “S” cartridge, adding a clip guide for Mauser-style stripper clips, and cutting a notch in the front receiver ring to allow clearance for pointed bullets. These rifles remained in use during World War I, particularly in second-line roles, and many were exported to the Ottoman Empire. In the 1930s, Turkey refurbished a large number of these rifles—now termed 88/05/35 models—by re-barreling, removing the barrel shroud, and updating the sights, extending their service life well into the Second World War.
Return Policy:
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Shipping Details
Handgun Standard Shipping with Insurance $50.00
Long Gun Standard Shipping with Insurance $70.00
Any orders placed with magazines that are not compliant with your state, county, or city regulations will not ship with your order.
We strive to ship orders within the close of the following business day after payment and documentation is received.
Payment Details
We accept all forms of Payment including Personal Check, Business Check, PO Money Orders, Certified Check, Etc.
Please note we place a 7 business day hold on shipment, for all non-certified payments.
Payment MUST be received within 14 days.
Return Policy
We gladly offer a 3 day unfired inspection policy from the time that the firearm is delivered to your FFL. Refunds are available for all qualifying orders.
Additional Details
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About Us
From a small town hobby, to a leader in the investment and collector grade firearms industry. Bryant Ridge Firearms is here to offer the best in quality and customer service when you are looking to unload your collector grade firearm collection.
